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Research Master
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Urban Studies

Study programme

The Research Master 's programme in Urban Studies offers a multidisciplinary and (internationally) comparative perspective on urban research. It combines urban geography, economic geography, urban and regional planning, and urban sociology. Next to the core courses on urban studies, we offer a wide range of electives on qualitative, quantitative and mixed methodology.
  • Year 1

    The programme takes two years. Students are expected to obtain 60 ECTS credits in each year of the programme, totalling 120 ECTS. The first year will be spent in Amsterdam. The curriculum of the first year combines thematic and theoretically oriented coursework with research training, with an aim to preparing students for writing their Master's thesis or academic article and for their stay abroad.

  • Year 2

    The second year will consist of a semester abroad followed by a period of thesis writing and research. In addition to coursework at the exchange university,  the second year is devoted to the individual research project, culminating in a thesis or article. The research project must be an international comparative study based on empirical fieldwork conducted in at least two metropolises. For practical reasons, the research will usually deal with metropolises in the Netherlands and the country where students spend their semester abroad.

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Philosophy of Science for Urban and Development Studies
    6

    Explore urban and development studies with this course that brings together various disciplines. You will delve into contrasting epistemological approaches like positivism, critical realism, and constructivism, analyzing ontological assumptions related to terms such as 'urban,' 'development, and 'slum,' while also examining the interplay between structure and agency.

  • Contemporary Urban Transformations
    12

    Explore how cities change due to evolving relationships among governments, markets, and citizens. Factors like climate change, technology, and social inequalities drive these transformations. Governments shape cities through policies and planning, while market players and residents also influence changes, impacting resource allocation, infrastructure, and the push for inclusive and sustainable urban development. Grassroots movements challenge traditional power structures, advocating for alternative urban visions.

  • Urban Debates
    6

    Explore key debates and evolutions in through the study of cities. From the influential Chicago School to modern critical perspectives you will delve into historical discussions. You will read original texts and modern reinterpretations to grasp the field's evolution, learning how constructive criticism fuels progress without descending into destructive arguments.

  • Urban Lab: Apprenticeship
    9

    Engage in complete scientific research. During this course your tasks will consist of forming research questions, reviewing literature, creating research tools, collecting data, and presenting findings, leading to a final product and presentation to your course group.

  • Urban Lab: Research Proposal
    3

    Create a complete research proposal for the Urban Research Project. In February, you'll share an initial outline of your Master Thesis concept with your supervisor or program leader. By June, during block 6 of the first year, you will complete the final proposal write-up.

  • Restricted-choice electives: Method Electives
    12

    During the restricted choice elective you get the opportunity to choose one of the programme's method electives (see course guide).

  • Restricted-choice electives: Thematic Elective
    6

    During the restricted choice elective you get the opportunity to choose one of the programme's thematic electives (see online course catalogue).

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Thesis Seminar Urban Studies
    3

    This seminar helps students navigate the challenges of writing a master's thesis by emphasizing key steps: articulating a central idea, performing the necessary work, reflecting on and testing ideas, discussing the writing process openly, and engaging in peer reviews, ultimately fostering successful thesis completion.

  • Urban Studies in Practice
    3

    This course prepares Urban Studies graduates for diverse roles, both within and outside academia, addressing challenges encountered by professional researchers in the field. You will explore writing research reports, publishing articles, securing research funding, networking strategies, and more to excel in various career paths related to Urban Studies.

  • Urban Research Project
    36

    The Research Project comprises three main parts: two comparative case studies (Part A and Part B) and a Thesis/Scientific Article. Both case studies contribute to the final Thesis/Article, each concluding with a progress report. These components collectively form the Research Project course.

Compulsory course
Elective
Find more information in the online course catalogue
  • Semester abroad

    The first semester of the second year will be spent in a city abroad. Students will study at a university, following a number of urban studies related courses of their choice (18 ECTS). Moreover, they will conduct the first case study of their Master's research project.

    The Urban Studies programme has established a collaboration with 27 (and growing!) universities worldwide that offer excellent programmes in the field of urban studies or its subfields, for instance with universities in New York, London, Hong Kong, Vancouver, Pretoria and Melbourne.

    This semester abroad offers students excellent opportunities to experience studying in another environment, to build international networks, and to conduct research in a new environment. 

  • Course formats

    Throughout the programme, we work with the following formats:

    • Interactive working groups and seminars
    • Lectures
    • Excursions
    • Research apprenticeship
    • Individual supervision (Master's thesis or research article).
You can take electives across different disciplines, which you can combine with urban theory and practice under the supervision of highly skilled lecturers. Student Mikael Kataja about the Research Master's Urban Studies